Remembering Rex Griswold

Rex Griswold, the inspiration behind The Rex Griswold Foundation, died peacefully in his home in Texas August 4th, 2017. He bravely battled Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), for the past 4 years.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Traci; his two sons, Park and Wilson; his mother, Janet Griswold; a brother, Tony Griswold and his spouse Kathleen; and a sister, Pam Sides and her spouse Greg.

A memorial service will be held Friday August 11th at 3:00pm at Christ United Methodist Church, 3101 Coit Road, Plano, TX.

“Rex Griswold was a person who could literally light up a room with his big booming voice,” said Tom Hipwell, Vice President, General Manager at Nestle Waters North America and among the founders of The Rex Griswold Foundation. “He loved to laugh and meet people; all the while he was the consummate business person. No question, he changed many lives at Nestle Waters. Rex was so treasured and loved and will surely be missed.”

“I was one of the more fortunate individuals to have known Rex over the 15-plus years we worked together at Nestle Waters,” added colleague Jim Donker, Director Business Development at Nestle Waters North America. “His kindness, humor, passion, demeanor, humbleness and mentorship that he brought daily are only a few of the words in which to describe him. His courage that he displayed during his fight with the disease was done with honor and grace while also trying to help others facing the same challenges. I am honored to have known and learned from Rex. He was a true friend who I will deeply miss.”

Born in Carrollton, MO to Park and Janet (Riemer) Griswold, October 6th, 1960, Rex was the youngest of three siblings. He spent summers working in his father’s annual vegetable garden, not always his favorite thing to do. His father would joke, “if he grew it, he did not want to eat it!” Rex’s work ethic and discipline first earned him honors as an Eagle Scout. He graduated from Central Missouri State, serving as his Fraternity President. In 1992 he met and married Traci Simpson. Together they had 2 sons, Park and Wilson.

Even though Rex had his degree in Geology, he was a salesman at heart. The Griswold family motto was ABC. Always Be Closing. He was an innovation leader and problem solver. He enjoyed a 23-year career with Nestle, most recently serving as Vice President of Sales. He took pleasure in traveling with his family, cycling, and a good glass of red wine.

Rex was a warrior for MSA. He never allowed the disease to define him. He lived each day to its fullest even when his body began to fail. When the wind direction changed, his simply adjusted his sails.

His peers established The Rex Griswold Foundation. The mission is to fund research and development of this little-known disease. The foundation has received huge support for those who loved the man who never stopped smiling.

“Rex embodied courage, as do his wife and children,” said Kay Segal, a board member of the Rex Griswold Foundation. “The nasty journey that the family endured these past years is not wished upon anyone. “They dealt with the ordeal head-on—with humor, tenderness, courage and a desire to bring information about MSA into the open.”

Rex Griswold

“Rex Griswold was a person who could literally light up a room

with his big booming voice. He loved to laugh and meet people; all the while he was the consummate business person. As I worked with Rex, his drive to win was infectious, and he made it seem like fun. The c-store channel was the perfect environment for Rex, because the community takes and sees thing at face value, which describes Rex to a tee. No question, he changed many lives at Nestle Waters. Rex was so treasured and loved and will surely be missed."

Tom HipwellNestle Waters North America

2017-08-08T17:15:46+00:00

Tom HipwellNestle Waters North America

with his big booming voice. He loved to laugh and meet people; all the while he was the consummate business person. As I worked with Rex, his drive to win was infectious, and he made it seem like fun. The c-store channel was the perfect environment for Rex, because the community takes and sees thing at face value, which describes Rex to a tee. No question, he changed many lives at Nestle Waters. Rex was so treasured and loved and will surely be missed."

http://rexgriswoldfoundation.org/testimonials/1244/

“I was one of the more fortunate individuals to have known Rex

over the 15-plus years we worked together at Nestle Waters. His kindness, humor, passion, demeanor, humbleness and mentorship that he brought daily are only a few of the words in which to describe him. His courage that he displayed during his fight with the disease was done with honor and grace while also trying to help others facing the same challenges. I am honored to have known and learned from Rex. He was a true friend who I will deeply miss."

Jim Donker
Nestle Waters North America

2017-08-08T17:17:01+00:00

Jim Donker
Nestle Waters North America

over the 15-plus years we worked together at Nestle Waters. His kindness, humor, passion, demeanor, humbleness and mentorship that he brought daily are only a few of the words in which to describe him. His courage that he displayed during his fight with the disease was done with honor and grace while also trying to help others facing the same challenges. I am honored to have known and learned from Rex. He was a true friend who I will deeply miss."

http://rexgriswoldfoundation.org/testimonials/1245/

“Rex was a model for us.

I recall very early in his struggle with this devil disease a discussion I had with him as to how he could provide much to many by way of example, purpose and resolve. He did just that and so much more. He didn't just fight the disease and go down in defeat, he lived a life of courage and example."

Paul Reuter
Midwest Retail Group

2017-08-08T17:30:51+00:00

Paul Reuter
Midwest Retail Group

I recall very early in his struggle with this devil disease a discussion I had with him as to how he could provide much to many by way of example, purpose and resolve. He did just that and so much more. He didn't just fight the disease and go down in defeat, he lived a life of courage and example."

http://rexgriswoldfoundation.org/testimonials/rex-model-us/

“Rex was an industry leader and very well respected.

He was certainly a man that many of us admired for his professionalism and integrity, especially as he fought this illness. He will be greatly missed, and all of us are better for knowing him and experiencing his leadership and courage."

Kevin MartelloDr Pepper Snapple Group

2017-08-08T17:32:11+00:00

Kevin MartelloDr Pepper Snapple Group

He was certainly a man that many of us admired for his professionalism and integrity, especially as he fought this illness. He will be greatly missed, and all of us are better for knowing him and experiencing his leadership and courage."

“For me personally, he was a gift of a friend,

client and overall humble human being. Courageous is the word that I think sums up who he was."

Karen Spiegel
Winsight

2017-08-08T17:33:32+00:00

Karen Spiegel
Winsight

client and overall humble human being. Courageous is the word that I think sums up who he was."

http://rexgriswoldfoundation.org/testimonials/personally-gift-friend/

“Rex embodied courage,

as do his wife and children. The nasty journey that the family endured these past years is not wished upon anyone. They dealt with the ordeal head-on—with humor, tenderness, courage and a desire to bring information about MSA into the open."

Kay Segal
Business Accelerator Team
and Rex Griswold Foundation board member

2017-08-08T17:35:41+00:00

Kay Segal
Business Accelerator Team
and Rex Griswold Foundation board member

as do his wife and children. The nasty journey that the family endured these past years is not wished upon anyone. They dealt with the ordeal head-on—with humor, tenderness, courage and a desire to bring information about MSA into the open."

http://rexgriswoldfoundation.org/testimonials/rex-embodied-courage/

“The industry lost one of the best mentors and bright lights

last week. I remember coming into the industry and meeting Rex for the first time. He was engaging and had great friends and knowledge that I wanted to replicate. He was quick to assist and share his knowledge over a nice bold red anytime he could. He did not have competitors or agendas, just a great heart that I will miss forever."

Tony Gaines
Advantage Solutions

2017-08-08T17:37:35+00:00

Tony Gaines
Advantage Solutions

last week. I remember coming into the industry and meeting Rex for the first time. He was engaging and had great friends and knowledge that I wanted to replicate. He was quick to assist and share his knowledge over a nice bold red anytime he could. He did not have competitors or agendas, just a great heart that I will miss forever."